was the spirit of earnest inquiry among professors of religion, in settling questions of duty, more generally prevalent than now. The Church is being invested with the Son of Righteousness. She is arraying herself in her beautiful garments, and seeking all that virgin purity and loveliness, which is to render her the acceptable spouse of Christ. As the object of his love and the subject of his mercies, she feels her obligations to him, and tries to follow him. The efforts made to send the Gospel "into all the world," evinces that the subject of christian missions is deep-seated in the heart of the Church, and that she is trying to turn her instrumentality in our world's regeneration, to the best account. I have been asking myself while meditating on this subject, what are the Christian Colonies in Liberia doing, in aid of this work? But I am instantly met here with this seemingly fair excuse-the general poverty of the people. 66 Though we have not gold or silver, can we not do something towards preparing the way of the Lord," by removing stumbling-blocks and obstacles to the march of christian influence? This question merits ourmost serious consideration. The relations in which these Colonies are placed to Africa and the christian world are incalculably interesting. Providence has evidently established them here for some important purpose, in accomplishing the inscrutable designs of Him whose " sea." way is in the However men may clamor or speculate about Colonization as a remedy for the ills of the colored race, or about the purity of the motives of those men who have embarked their time, their fortunes and weight of character in the undertaking; the conviction of the truth of this sentiment is irresistable, to all believers in the truth of the Holy Scriptures. It being established then, that we are providentially here-here for some important end, as God does nothing without motives, and whatever comes from him must be good-it remains for us to inquire what the "Great Head of the Church would have us to do," in our peculiar situation, occupying as we do, a distinguished place. It need not now be said that we should pray earnestly for the peace of Jerusalem. This is an obvious duty, and one from which no growing christian under any circumstance whatever can feel himself discharged. Nor is it necessary here to repeat that as we have ability, we should give our substance into the treasury of the Lord: though, were it the object of the writer of this article, to solicit donations for benevolent purposes, a word or two on this point might not be deemed improper. There are duties generally binding upon us all, that have a direct and important bearing upon the work of evangelization, which can be performed without money or price. We may and ought to preserve uncontaminated, the inheritance bequeathed us by a long list of venerable living and dead. I mean the inheritance of a Church and its institutions. To pervert it, to become corrupt in doctrine, or its members immoral in their lives, is just unfitting ourselves collectively for the part. Providence has designed us to take. No interest whatever should induce us for a moment to remove the ancient land-marks. But, distant as we are from those whose opinions or official superiority we either fear or venerate, and by whose wisdom and experience, were they nearer at hand, we could more immediately profit, there is great danger of this. We ought to be on our guard, as none are impeccable, all are liable to fall. The brightest star whose scintillations beautify the moral heavens, though seemingly fixed, may reel from its orbit, rush through all the attractions that would draw it to the common centre of light and heat, and, "Hurl'd headlong, flaming from the etherial sky, desolate the system it was intended to bless.-Liberia Herald. NEW PUBLICATION." An Inquiry into the History of Slavery; its introduction into the United States; causes of its continuance; and remarks upon the Abolition Tracts of WM. E. CHANNING, D. D.,-by Rev. T. C. THORNTON, President of the Centenary College, Clinton, Mississippi.-Washington City, Wm. M. MORRISON, 1841." We commend this work to the reading public, North and South. It discusses with a good degree of coolness a great national question. The author remarks in the introduction: "If our opinions on some points are not in perfect accordance with yours; do not condemn us for opinion's sake. We are entitled to, and have liberty to express, them. We write not for popularity, or fame, or money. We write for our country, and our country's cause." The reader will in it find many principles well stated and applied, together with much information gathered from various sources, and brought into such compass as will make it convenient for reference. The article on Colonization we would especially desire to have read. At this time it is quite appropriate, and we trust will add to the growing interest on this subject. 66 "Ir is said that a number of the oldest and most respectable of the colored people those who have property here, and are of good and peaceable habits-are making arrangements to dispose of their effects and remove to Liberia. That is the best thing they can do. We have long been satisfied that the free blacks should seek a residence in Africa. That is misdirected philanthropy which would induce their stay in this country,"-Cin cinnati Gazette. THE above seems to have been written soon after the disgraceful riot which took place in Cincinnati in the early part of last month. One might suppose that such scenes as that would soon convince the colored people that this land furnishes no HOME for them, where they and their children can hope to dwell in quietness, with prospect of rising in the scale of social and of civil life. But we mistake very much if it has any lasting influence upon them. While they credit their present advisers, there is little hope of change. They have been too long and too bitterly prejudiced against Liberia. The true condition and prospects of those who have already emigrated, have been too carefully concealed from them; and they have been so thoroughly schooled to look upon Colonization as the very abomination of desolation," that it will take other means than violence and insult to start them from their present lodgment. Indeed we do not desire to have them emigrate under such influences. If they cannot feel the nobler, higher motives which Liberia presents; if they have no desire to rise from their necessarily inferior condition, and assume the character and wield the destiny of men, under the free and liberal institutions of our 66 Liberian commonwealth, then we have little hope of their making citizens there such as we desire to have. We believe that if all danger of insult and violence was removed from their condition here, and they had the best prospects which they possibly could have, with a full and perfect chance of equality with the whites, still there are inducements held out to them in Liberia which should induce them at once to quit this country, and locate themselves in that ancient home of their race. And it is with these views that we are endeavoring to carry on this great work of Colonization. And we believe that if the adverse influences were removed from them, our labors would be very soon appreciated by them somewhat in the style that their nature and merits demand. But we do not intend to complain. . Let those who instil into their minds principles of a different kind, and raise in their bosoms hopes which never can be realized, take the responsibility. It is a burden not easy to be carried. The peace of society and the majesty of law are too valuable to be trifled with for nothing. The bad passions of men may not be tampered with, under the hope of impunity. For that riot at Cincinnati somebody must answer. And for the loose ideas of the sacredness of life and property which have gotten abroad, and for the immeasurably evil consequences which will follow, somebody must answer. In the mean time, we shall endeavor peacefully to prosecute our work, assured that brighter days are coming. WHAT ARE THE DIVINE PURPOSES RESPECTING THE AFRICAN RACE? THE revealed will of God is the final test of every human enterprise. To the law and the testimony." Every undertaking must have the sanction of Heaven, before we can hope for ultimate success. If a work be of man, it will most certainly come to naught. Passion and policy, and human wisdom, and reliance on temporary expedients, are of no avail. We must inquire what ends God means to accomplish, then fall in with his designs, and become co-workers with him, in order to be successful. By applying these principles to the work of Colonization, we may ascertain whether we are aiming at uncertainties, or whether we are laboring for things which shall be. One of the truths which stand out most conspicuous on the sacred page, and most confidently is anticipated by all christians, is that "the knowledge of the Lord shall ere long cover this earth as the waters cover the sea. A day is then coming in the progress of this world's history, when every dark place shall be visited by the light of the Gospel; when every habitation of horrid cruelty shall be explored, transformed, and made a highway of holiness, where the redeemed of the Lord shall walk; and when the heathen temples shall all be prostrated, and their idols destroyed, and their sacred groves be forsaken, and their worshippers become the ransomed of the Lord, and return to Zion with songs and everlasting joy on their heads. This general prophecy and promise includes Africa in the measure of its blessings; and we should, without any thing more definite, be warranted in seeking the redemption of all her sons. But we have a more explicit warrant a more pointed and specific word of prophecy to which we may give most unbounded confidence, until the day dawn and the day star arise upon us. In the 68th Psalm and 31st verse, we are told, "Princes shall come out of Egypt. Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God." The writers of the Old Testament designate by Egypt a country far more extensive than that which in our modern geography bears that name. When they speak of Egypt they embrace in it all of Africa then known to the world. Sometimes we find Egypt and Ethiopia coupled in such manner as to show that they are inseparable in most of the prophecies relating to the children of HAM. The passage referred to above is one of these. Another is in Exodus, 30th chapter, 4th, 9th, and 26th verses : "And the sword shall come upon Egypt and great pain shall be in Ethiopia, when they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down. The careless Ethiopians shall be afraid, and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations, and will disperse them through the countries." This prophecy so clearly identifies the Egyptians with the slaves carried away from Africa, as to warrant us in considering that the passage first quoted relates to the Continent of Africa. Its meaning and import may be given by a liberal paraphrase. From the lowest point of their degradation shall the children of HAM be elevated. Dark as is their present night, a splendid morning is hastening. Abused, trampled upon as they have been, there is yet mercy in store for them. The time of their favor shall come. Oppression and violence shall have an end. From that land whence captives in chains have been led, shall princes come. Those hands stained with blood that so long have been raised against their brethren and their kindred, shall be stretched out to God in holy gratitude and fervent supplication! A change the most remarkable and glorious shall come over them. They shall be disciples of no ordinary kind. Princes shall they be, and worshippers whose ardor and devotion will contrast entirely with the keenness and depth of the misery and degradation from which they have been rescued. If this is the meaning of the prophecy, then the redemption of Africa is placed beyond the reach of doubt. As to the specific time when this is to take place, we are not definitely informed, but we can assure ourselves at least as to this, that they must come in, together" with the fulness of the Gentiles." As to the means by which it is to be brought about, we can determine more certainly. That Colonization is the only means, we do not pretend to believe. But that it is a means we are assured-and that God has owned and blessed it as a part of his system of operations, we have the most undoubted evidences. It holds the same, and a more intimate, relation to the conversion of Africa, that the great scheme of Foreign Missions does to the conversion of those lands where the missionaries are located We presume none will venture to say that there are no other means to be used for a world's conversion than those now employed by the Missionary Societies. And yet it is perfectly manifest that they are a part of the great system of operations which God is willing to bless, and make distinguished in the triumphs of the Gospel. Just so it is with Colonization. Beyond all that could have been expected from the efforts used, it has been prospered. At home and abroad, by land and by sea, it has been favored of Heaven. And if we are unable to say that it is the only means to be used-w -we are assured that it is the only plan which has yet been devised that promises any good to Africa. This is proof enough that it forms a part of the Divine purposes respecting that Continent-and as such, it is entitled to the support and encouragement of every person who would not be found fighting against God. Here for the present we desire to leave the question. And we entreat every person to ask solemnly, "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" in reference to the welfare of the African race. From an article in another column it will be seen that the colonists are themselves beginning seriously to ask that question. Let not us be found behind them in this matter. But let us rather "do with our might (and mite) whatsoever our hands find to do." THE INTERIOR OF AFRICA. "There is a wilderness more dark, FEW countries have been less unexplored for wise and benevolent pur poses than the Continent of Africa. It may be termed the "great unknown," a perfect "terra incognita," at least so far as the number of its inhabitants is concerned, and any intention to ameliorate their condition. Even the general face of the country is unknown. The borders have been sarveyed; a few of the rivers have been navigated; here and there a spot has been dotted down; a few adventurers have gone into the interior, and when they could snatch a hasty glance have looked at the country, and have made note of the color and character of the inhabitants. When we consider the almost unbounded extent of the country; the disorganized and barbarous condition of society; the universal prevalence of the slave trade, and the fatal qualities of the climate, we do not wonder that the middle regions of Africa have been shut out from the knowledge of the rest of mankind. The external demand for slaves sends its influence into the very heart of the Continent, and offers such a premium upon internal rapine, disorder and barbarity, as to render any well organized effort to explore and examine the interior almost hopeless. How hazardous have been our efforts to plant a Colony on the Western Coast? And with what difficulty have our colonists been able to penetrate the country lying back of them toward the mountains? It is true, the tribes in the immediate neighborhood of our settlements are in a better condition than they were; life is more secure; the cultivation of the soil is beginning to be attended |